Remulla warns retired police generals over links to Atong Ang

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Thursday warned four retired police generals to cut ties with fugitive e-sabong operator Atong Ang or face possible charges for harboring a fugitive.

Remulla said the retired officials are under investigation for allegedly maintaining close personal ties with Ang, who remains at large amid cases linked to the disappearance and killing of sabungeros.

"Mga apat na heneral. Pero yan mga yan, binalaan na namin sila na huwag nilang tulungan, number one harvoring of fugitive sila. Number 2, ang pension nila makacancel," Remulla said during a press conference.

"Sila yun mga barkada, madalas na kasama ni Atong, madalas silanh nagsasabong, kumakain, so sila yun mga sinabihan naming huwag na silang tumulong," he added, declining to identify the retired generals.

Remulla also announced that the DILG has put up a P10 million reward for information that would lead to Ang’s arrest, with the amount sourced from the agency’s intelligence fund.

"Any information leading to conclusive arrest of Atong Ang, may merit na P10 million reward, no question asked," Remulla said.

He said an international red notice has already been requested from Interpol to enable authorities in member countries to arrest Ang once he enters their jurisdiction.

According to Remulla, the Presidential Center for Transnational Crime is coordinating with Interpol to ensure Ang is flagged at immigration checkpoints abroad.

Remulla said Ang is now considered the country’s most wanted fugitive for allegedly ordering the killing of more than 100 missing sabungeros. He also described Ang as “armed and dangerous,” citing his reported possession of firearms and the presence of around 20 bodyguards during his movements.

"Sanay siya (Ang) sa marahas na paraan, para harapin ang problema. But, buong 320, 000 policemen in the country now are hunting him," Remulla said.

"Atong ng is now a poor man with a lot of money," he added, noting that Ang’s wealth—earned during the height of e-sabong operations that allegedly generated P1 billion a day—cannot secure his freedom.

Remulla also acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Justice, which he said has been “working 43 months” to build cases against Ang.